The Chromebook is a laptop that runs on ChromeOS. It is designed to be used when connected to the internet mostly, and is considered to be a thin client. That means that most of the apps it uses are located in the cloud instead of on the actual machine itself. Because it is a Google product, users can access various apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Keep, and Google Drive, even in offline mode. Google says their multi-layer security architecture eliminates the need for anti-virus software, but we would not advise using one without a VPN. Take a look at our list of the best VPNs for Chromebook.
| Rank | VPN Service | Our Score | Server Locations | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 9.8 | 160 |  |
| 2 |  | 9.4 | 87 | |
| 3 |  | 9.2 | 95 | |
| 4 |  | 9.0 | 110 | |
| 5 |  | 8.8 | 73 | |
There are several different makers you may choose from, depending on your needs. Some have dual functionality and act as a laptop as well as a tablet. Most of them have between 7 to 9 hours of battery life, fast speeds, and an operating system that will upgrade on its own. Be aware though, unless you have a data plan, you almost always need a Wi-Fi connection to get things set up, even in the beginning. As you keep that in mind, you would want to use a VPN for your activities online.
So what is a VPN? A virtual private network (VPN) is software that creates a secure connection to a server, perhaps in another country, according to your wishes. Here are some of the uses for one. A good reason to use a VPN is to unblock access to geo-restricted content. Geo-blocking is a technology that identifies a user’s location based on IP address. This technology creates a blockade that will stop you from seeing content outside of the targeted area. By using a server in a different country, you could circumvent these restrictions. If you were traveling abroad and wanted to see content from your home country, or if you wanted to view content from a different country, you could use a VPN to do so.
Another good reason to use a VPN is for privacy. It will encrypt your data and provide an extra layer of security. Though the fine folks at Google say you don’t have to worry about malware with the Google Chromebook, there are always people that will want to intercept your data. Considering the Chromebook is designed to be on the internet anyway, you would be unwise not to use one. The question is, with the different choices in protocols, which ones should you choose?
Though all companies have different protocols to use, we will share the best protocols with you. Using the OpenVPN protocol always provides you with the best security. If you are streaming, you would normally use OpenVPN (UDP). That option is great for VoIP, Skype , online gaming, or even using streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Pandora. If you have connection issues or problems with the connection dropping, choosing OpenVPN (TCP) is where you should go. The TCP version is not quite as fast, but the data goes through error checking.
If you want to unblock content or secure your data, we recommend ExpressVPN. They don’t keep logs and have a kill switch feature, so it insures you are protected if the connection drops. For using streaming services like Netflix, ExpressVPN again is the best choice. Because they offer a mobile client, and have a fast network in North America and Europe, you would only need to connect, and you would could enjoy streaming from countries with the largest content libraries. Currently the US has the largest selection.
For only accessing geo-restricted content, your best option is to go with ExpressvPN MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) feature. Both of these services offer internet traffic encryption, but MediaStreamer will aid in unblocking channels without the slight speed loss. Of course, it depends if the SmartDNS unblocks the specific channel you wish to see. Both options are available for all ExpressVPN members and you can switch between them anytime. Because of the nature of the Chromebook, we would recommend using the encrypted option. We don’t recommend trading security for speed. Whereas speed is a problem if you are trying to stream in some cases, as long as you don’t see any quality difference, that extra layer of encryption is worth any speed you would possibly lose.
Let’s jump right in and take a look at the best VPNs for Chromebook.
1. Best VPN for Chromebook: ExpressVPN
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No matter what type of device you prefer, ExpressVPN has you covered with apps or setup instructions for your favorite ones. That includes easy to use apps for Windows, Mac OSX, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Linux. If you are one of the people that want to protect their other devices, there are convenient setup guides to protect your router, smart TV, or even your favorite gaming console. Be sure to check the website so you can configure all of your devices to work with the right VPN server address.
If you play games online, you may have heard about Distributive Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Those are attacks that can put a stop to your gaming experience in a hurry. However, the way around that is to connect to a VPN server. By doing so, you can get around those types of attacks because it changes your IP address. Whether you play competitively or casually, you have better things to concentrate on than not being able to compete in your favorite game.
The ExpressVPN team goes the extra mile to provide a feature rich service. They are also strong privacy advocates. They offer a $5,000 Future of Privacy scholarship every year to help promote privacy among college students. Just a quick example of their dedication to spreading the message of privacy around the world. Just as important, they offer a premium network to allow for fast connections. This makes the service an excellent choice for downloading and streaming. Test their network for yourself with their 30-day money-back guarantee. Sign up for 12 months and get 3 months free with our ExpressVPN deal.
2. Best VPN for Chromebook: NordVPN
If you are in the market for a VPN provider that is easy to operate, NordVPN is an excellent option to choose. Gone are the days when you had to be computer savvy to be able to connect to a VPN. Once you sign up, you simply need to download the version you want to use. The NordVPN client is available for Android, Windows. Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. It also has browser extensions for Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers.
As the world gets smaller, some sports become more visible in other countries. Whether you enjoy watching the English Premier League, American football, or others, you may have an issue doing that unless you connect to a VPN server from NordVPN. For example, if you want to watch an EPL match and have an active subscription, you’ll simply connect to a UK server and you should be able to enjoy them. You can say the same for other countries as well since NordVPN has thousands of VPN servers to choose from.
3. Best VPN for Chromebook: PIA
If you are looking for a VPN provider that does not keep logs, Private Internet Access has you covered. Over the years, they have developed a well-known reputation throughout the community. While some companies claim they do not keep logs, but then turn them over to authorities, The team at Private Internet Access continuously takes steps to make sure that they protect their users’ interests. If privacy is important to you, you will find that this one is the right choice to make.
If you are a gamer and you play match-based games, connecting to a VPN with Private Internet Access is a good idea. That is because most of the time, the gaming companies assign you to a server in a specific area. The way to change your area is to connect to a VPN in a different and less busy area. By doing so, you do not have to contend with many of the elements that would cause you to lag. That can be a significant benefit whether you are playing casually or competitively.
4. Best VPN for Chromebook: CyberGhost
If you are familiar with the Amazon Firestick, Roku, or other streaming devices that you plug into your TV, you know they are great. What you may not know, however, is that a vast amount of the content is only available in the US. If you are traveling abroad or outside the country, connecting to a CyberGhost VPN server located in the US is crucial. When you do so, you will be able to gain access to your favorite shows and movies, all at your fingers.
For everyone that lives in larger cities and has cut the cord, watching your favorite team sports online can cause a problem unless you connect to a VPN server via CyberGhost. If your favorite team is in the city you live in, licensing rights may stop you from seeing it online. The trick is to connect to a VPN server in another region. By doing so, the blocking software will let you view your favorite sports online no matter what city you visit or call home.
5. Best VPN for Chromebook: IPVanish
Some of the most valuable sports teams in the world have international followings. Those include sports organizations like the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) in the US, the New York Yankees (MLB) in the US, Real Madrid (Soccer), and more. If you are outside their home country, though, you can only watch them if you connect to a VPN server in the home country from IPVanish. Of course, you would also need to have a subscription to one of the sports apps, depending on what you want to watch.
IPVanish includes a nice addon called SugarSync cloud storage with their VPN service. While they are not the only ones to offer that type of benefit for their users, they were one of the first. It provides you with 250 GB of free cloud storage space. No matter what items you choose to store, it will help you make sure that you do not lose any non-replaceable documents, images, or files that you want to keep safe. That way, when something happens to your phone or computer, you don’t have to worry.
